Makibi Timilak sits in his mother’s fur-line coat. The family formally requested a coroner’s inquest after the baby died in 2012.

Makibi Timilak sits in his mother’s fur-line coat. The family formally requested a coroner’s inquest after the baby died in 2012.
Photo Credit: Family photo

A call for changes to Arctic health care after baby death

A coroner’s inquest into the 2012 death of a three-month old in a remote Arctic community recommends significant changes to health care in the northern territory of Nunavut. The inquest’s jury was unable to determine the exact cause of Makibi Timilak’s death after a week of emotional and complicated testimony.

Baby could not be revived

At home in Cape Dorset, Makibi had a runny nose, a cough, trouble breathing and would not settle to sleep. His mother had telephoned a local health centre and was told to give him a bath and bring him in the next morning. Makibi fell unconscious some hours later, was rushed to the health centre but could not be revived.  The government of Nunavut apologized for the death after an investigation by CBC revealed major problems with the health care system.

Jury calls for more doctors

The jury made several recommendations to try to prevent such deaths in the future. Among them, it called for a doctor to be stationed in each of the territory’s 25 communities. It also said the territory should enforce its policy that children under one year old be seen as a priority.

The jury called for an independent review of all post-mortem examinations of children under five years and measures to avoid nurses’ fatigue. It also recommended more education for parents on safe sleep practices and what to expect with a first child.

‘No closure’

CBC reports presiding coroner Garth Eggenberger said “There really is no closure once you lose someone…I think everybody felt for the family. They wanted answers for the family.”

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